So what road wheels would you buy?

Ok, so my shortlist is now about 3 options longer than it was before... Very torn between just pulling the trigger on some Mavics / Shimanos or getting a lovingly handcrafted set. Probably leaning marginally towards handbuilt.

Kysrium Elites for strong and stiff and light. To give you an idea of strength, in a race yesterday my rear mech hanger sheared and the mech went into the spokes at 25mph locking the wheel for a 20m skid to a halt. The Kysirium Elite spokes all held, only one of which has a small kink, and the rim will need a slight truing. That is a strong wheel. Sadly the chainstay looks pretty awful.

For long distance comfort, however, I'd go handbuilt with dura ace or ultegra hubs and a nice light rim. Open pro is good, but there are lighter.

My second hand Hope mono/pro 2 onto magic cxp33 with 36 spokes at the back and 32 at the front. Stiff, long lasting and very strong, not to mention all the spares are easy to find. So far a pair of rear wheel bearings has been the worst of it. You can find lots lighter, but all depends on the extent to which durability matters. I am 17st and wouldn't touch factory wheels after last time, supposedly bombproof, lasted 2 weeks.

Shimano RS80's etc are great until you wear through the rims after a few thousand miles. Then you'll realise that it's nowhere near feasible to rebuild with new rims. It annoyed me so much that I learnt to build my own wheels - best skill I've ever learnt, you'll never look back!

I recently had a set of Aksiums die on me and so decided I needed a new set of wheels.

I picked up a set of Hope Hoops with Open Pro rims for just over £300. My decision process was as follows.

I wanted something that was repairable so no silly spokes, hope hubs are easy to maintain and get parts for. Open Pro's are entirely acceptable, easy to get hold of, have eyelets and build into a decent wheel for not much cash. If I bend something I can replace it or true it myself. I really don't see the need for anything too flash for the riding I do and would prefer something repairable and strong to something cool or expensive.

The prices, including delivery to here, look pretty good - I haven't cross-checked them in detail as I've already got mine sorted, but some of the prices for Archtype rims, CX Ray spokes and e.g. White Industries / CK hubs look seriously tempting!

For use as everyday wheels you say.
Then personally I'd go for a quality handbuilt and not worry too much about weight. Something Mavic'y on Hopes and quality spokes and nipples.
'Triggers broom' and all that.

Just ordered some Dura Ace/Sapim/Open Pros (all black) from Harry Rowland to complement the Defy Advanced SL when it isn't dressed in carbon SLR aero wheels.

After writing of the rear Ksyrium (mentioned above) in a pothole three weeks ago, another of Harry's wheels on my fixed wheel suffered a severe flat spot in a another deep pothole but remained completely true - not round, mind, but perfectly rideable. So based on ride quality, I'm after the same again.

I also like Mavic tyres, which complement the Open Pro rims. There isn't a huge difference in rim design between Open Pro and Ksyrium to be honest, but the ride of a fine set of handbuilts is noticeable.

Those Archetypes look lovely.
I went the boring Ksyrium elite route but they really are good wheels, also remember a bit better value than maybe first appear as normally sold as a complete wheelset including the tubes and actually pretty good tyres.
2 other tips make sure you remind the shop to give you the MP3 (weird name) registration card as you need details of their customer registration number and have to register within 5 days of purchase but seems like a very good deal.
Final tip probikekit.com are really cheap for Mavic wheel bags, got mine for £27 the pair they arrived within 18hrs of ordering and on a Saturday too so most impressed.

Haven't seen it mentioned but Mavic have their insurance scheme MP3 so for about £40 extra you get full repair cover for a set of Ksyriums. Couple of important things, there are weight limits for particular wheels but they are pretty high, you need to keep your receipt and you absolutely must register within 5 days of purchase.

I think you have to buy wheels and treat them as consumables, rims, bearings and freehubs wear out, spokes break. I gave up using mavics years ago, they look great but are very expensive to service.

Hand built wheels are the way to go, they stay true for longer and with the right build can be lighter, stiffer and easier to repair. Recently got a set of kinlin a300 rims with novatec hubs from http://www.spokesmanwheels.co.uk, less than 1500g, very stiff, about £300, done a few 1000 miles on them very good.